Crimpled material cooling device for heat stress relief

ABSTRACT

A cooling device comprising an elongated fabric having a first end and a second end. The elongated fabric including a fastening element to connect the first end to the second end, and an elastic band to deform a shape of the elongated fabric, creating a bunching, gathering, or crimpling of the elongated fabric. The elongated fabric is disposed around a surface to be cooled, and the crimpled or bunched surface provides a airflow between the cooling device and the surface to be cooled.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to cooling devices made of cloth or cloth-like material to be used for cooling contact surfaces.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

There are cooling devices in the art for use by a person exercising or working in an environment where the person is likely to sweat or overheat. Some of these devices are designed to provide a “cooling effect” to a wearer by making the wearer's skin feel cooler. More specifically, in one design in the art, the user wets a band of flat polymer cloth and then ties the band around the user's neck or head. The cooling effect occurs due to the heat removed from the surface to be cooled and the cooling device by the evaporation of water.

There is needed a device that provides sustained cooling over a period of time.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The invention relates to a cooling device for cooling a surface. The cooling device includes a cooling fabric constructed from polyvinyl alcohol having a first end and a second end; a fastening element for connecting the first end to the second end; and an elastic material stretched between the first and second ends so as to cause the cooling fabric to crimple or gather. The cooling device may also be formed as a non-crimpled or gathered device that may be worn over a portion of a user's body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a band according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1B shows a cross-sectional view of the band shown in FIG. 1A, wherein the elastic core is shown;

FIG. 2 illustrates the band in FIG. 1A being worn by a human user;

FIG. 3 illustrates a method of using the band shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 4 illustrates a method of cooling a surface according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a vest formed using the teachings of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a cooling device formed of a textured and crimpled (i.e., pressed together or gathered) material used for heat stress relief and general cooling of humans, animals, liquids, and other objects. More particularly, the invention relates to a cooling device formed of fabric that is crimpled together so as to facilitate cooling when in contact or close contact with a surface.

As seen in FIG. 1A, the cooling device is shown for illustrative purposes as a band 100. The band 100 shown in FIGS. 1A and 2 may be configured to be worn on, for example, the head, neck, wrist, ankle, and body.

To create the band 100, the cooling fabric 102 may be formed into a tube like structure having an outer surface and a first end and a second end. As best seen in FIG. 1, the outer surface of the cooling fabric 102 directly contacts a portion of a surface to be cooled.

The cooling fabric 102 may be, for example, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The cooling fabric 102 may be, depending on the material used, chemically resistant, resilient, machine washable or colorable.

As best seen in FIG. 1B, the band 100 includes an inner layer 104. The inner layer 104 may be an elastic material. The inner layer 104 may be coupled to the cooling fabric 102 so as to cause crimples or gathers 110 to form in the cooling fabric 102 as best seen in FIG. 1A.

For example, the inner layer 104 and the cooling fabric 102 may be sewn together such that the overall length of the inner layer 104 is slightly shorter than the cooling fabric 102. In one embodiment, one end of the inner layer 104 may be positioned along a portion of the cooling fabric 102 and sewn in place. The other end of the inner layer 104 is stretched along the cooling fabric 102 and sewn in place. This arrangement causes the cooling fabric 102 to form crimples or gathers 110 when the inner layer 104 returns to the unstretched position.

In another embodiment, the cooling fabric 102 may be formed into a tube, as best seen in FIG. 1. The inner layer may be fixed in place at one end of the tube by a removable fastening device such as, but not limited to, a straight pin, safety pin or hemostat. The tube may then be slid over the inner layer 104 until the second end of the tube aligns with the second end of the inner layer 104. Once aligned, the second end of the tube and the second end of the inner layer 104 are sewn together. Next the first ends of the inner layer 104 and the tube are sewn together, and the removable fastening device is removed. Because the inner layer 104 has an overall length that is shorter than that of the tube, crimples or gathers 110 form in the cooling fabric 102. Because the cooling fabric 102 comprising the outer layer is crimpled, not all of the fabric facing the surface to be cooled will be in direct contact with that surface. Accordingly, airflow is achieved between the outer layer 102 and the surface to be cooled. This air flow permits or facilitates evaporative cooling that keeps the band 100 moist for longer periods of time when compared with PVA materials that are not bunched or crimpled.

As best seen in FIG. 1A, the band 100 may also include a fastening device for joining together the distal ends of the band 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, a snap-type fastener may join the distal ends of the band 100. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the ends may be attached and reattached by a variety of fasteners, such as hook and loop fastener(s), latch fastener(s), button(s), zippers, or the like. One of skill in the art will appreciate that any known fastener and combinations thereof may be adapted for use, and that one or more fasteners may be used. Alternatively, the ends may be tied together.

FIG. 2 illustrates the band 100 being worn by a person according to an embodiment of the invention. The band 100 is stretched out over the surface to be cooled 210, in this case, the forehead of a human user. While the band 100 is in contact with the surface to be cooled, the crimples or gathers 110 create an air gap between the band 100 and the surface to be cooled 210.

FIG. 3 illustrates a method of using a band 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The ends are detached as illustrated in step 300. The band 100 is then wetted as illustrated in step 305. The band 100 is placed on the surface to be cooled as illustrated in step 310. The ends are then reattached as illustrated in step 315. Prior to placing the band 100 on the surface to be cooled, the band 100 may be agitated for example, by shaking, to facilitate a chemical reaction that occurs upon moistening the PVA. In some instances the agitation results in a noticeable drop in the temperature of the outer layer 102 of the PVA material.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method of cooling a surface according to an embodiment of the invention. The cooling of the surface begins by preparing the device as described above with reference to FIG. 3. The device is then placed against the surface to be cooled 400. Simultaneously there is a cooling effect caused by a chemical reaction that occurs upon moistening the PVA, and the crimples or gathers 110 provide increased air flow between the band and the surface to be cooled for an added cooling effect. The cooling effect can be continued by re-wetting the cloth or device if it starts to dry out 415.

In all the foregoing figures and examples, the surfaces to be cooled such as 210, 310, and 410 are not limited to human skin. Other embodiments of the invention adapt the band 100 for cooling the exterior of a human body, animal, inanimate object, or a container containing fluids.

In an alternative embodiment, the cooling device may be constructed as a vest 500, as best seen in FIG. 5. The vest 500 may include a layer of a cooling material construed using polyvinyl alcohol. The vest 500 includes a body portion 502 for covering a portion of the body of a wearer, and openings 504. In the illustrated embodiment, the openings 504 are configured to receive the arms of a human user.

The cooling device, whether constructed as a band 100 or a vest 500, may be wetted, folded and placed in an enclosure. The enclosure is preferably formed using a water resistant material. In one embodiment, the enclosure may be a selectively openable and closeable plastic pouch. When sealed the enclosure helps keep the cooling device moist. Thus, the cooling device may be stored for long periods of time without drying out.

While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the band 100 and the vest 500 could be covered by a woven or nonwoven material, such as, for example, cotton. Thus, the covering material would form the outer layer that directly contacts the surface to be cooled. In the case of the band 100 the covering layer would also crimple or gather to create an air gap between the band 100 and the surface to be cooled. Thus, the accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. 

1. A cooling device for cooling a surface comprising: a cooling fabric constructed from polyvinyl alcohol having a first end and a second end; a fastening element for connecting the first end to the second end; and an elastic material stretched between the first and second ends so as to cause the cooling fabric to crimple or gather.
 2. The cooling device as defined in claim 1, wherein a portion of said fastening element is supported by the first end and a portion is supported by the second end.
 3. The cooling device as defined in claim 2, the fastening element being selected from the group consisting of snaps, hook and loop fasteners, latch fasteners, buttons, a zipper, or ties.
 4. The cooling device as defined in claim 1, wherein the surface to be cooled is the skin of a human user.
 5. The cooling device as defined in claim 1, wherein the surface to be cooled is a portion of the head of a human user.
 6. The cooling device as defined in claim 1, wherein the surface to be cooled is that of an animal other than a human.
 7. The cooling device as defined in claim 1, wherein the surface to be cooled is that of an inanimate object.
 8. The cooling device as defined in claim 1, wherein the surface to be cooled comprises a portion of a container containing fluids.
 9. The cooling device as defined in claim 1, wherein the elongated fabric is textured.
 10. The cooling device as defined in claim 1, wherein the elongated fabric is flexible.
 11. The cooling device as defined in claim 1, wherein the cooling device is placed in an enclosure.
 12. The cooling device as defined in claim 1, wherein the elongated fabric is moistened.
 13. The cooling device as defined in claim 1, wherein the elongated fabric is covered by a woven or non-woven material.
 14. A cooling device, in the form of a vest, comprising a layer of a cooling material constructed using polyvinyl alcohol.
 15. A method for cooling a surface comprising: providing a cooling device having an outer fabric formed of polyvinyl alcohol coupled to a stretchable inner layer, such that the outer fabric crimples or gathers, the cooling device having a first end and a second end; wetting the cooling device with a liquid, wherein evaporation of the liquid from the cooling device causes the fabric to drop in temperature; placing the cooling device on or over the surface to be cooled; and attaching the first end to the second end of the cooling device. 